Printable NCAA Brackets 2013: Common Mistakes Made When Completing a Bracket

While there is no one right way to generate a successful NCAA tournament bracket, there are plenty of mistakes that you can make along the way sure to ruin your March Madness bracket experience.

The most common mistake you can make when completing a bracket is to pick your favorite school(s) and have them go all the way, straight through to the championship. Although it cannot hurt if you're projecting multiple brackets, you would be wise to keep your emotions out of your picks.

Be realistic, not optimistic.

Another mistake is people look to predict upsets. Although some are much easier to see coming than others, every upset pick you make comes with a bit of risk. It's called madness for a reason. The Big Dance is perhaps the most unpredictable sporting event on the calendar. 

But if there's something you can bet on, it's that a No. 1 seed will likely win it all, or at least be there in the end. Only six times since 1990 has a team seeded lower than No. 1 won the NCAA Tournament. 

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when filling out your bracket. 

Don't Bet on Freshman

There are a few incredible freshman in college basketball this season, but it takes more than talent to win the NCAA tournament. 

Experience is vital, and knowing what the atmosphere during March Madness is like can give a team a major advantage. When a team relies heavily on a freshman, it should be a red flag. 

Teams such as Kansas, which have a mix of experience and talented youth still have a chance to make a deep run. But a team like UCLA or Oklahoma State, which is made up mostly of younger players, should be avoided. 

Don't Pay Attention to History

Some of the most storied programs in college basketball are in this year's tournament, but history doesn't matter once March Madness starts. 

UCLA and North Carolina have plenty of problems that will keep them from making a deep run in this year's competition, and no amount of championship banners can change that at this point. As hypnotizing as that Carolina blue may be, it would be a mistake to count on the Tar Heels this year. 

Pay attention to how a team has done this season. Come Thursday, the past means nothing. 

Don't Let Experts Fool You

When it comes down to it, your bracket belongs to you. Own it. 

The talking heads on ESPN have done plenty of research and will make substantive points, but in the end, most of his or her predictions for this year's tournament will likely be wrong. Knowing your facts is important but so is going with your gut. 

If you're trying to decide who is going to win between Kansas and Florida in a potential Elite Eight showdown, no amount of statistics is going to magically reveal the correct choice. Make picks that you believe in, and hope for the best. 

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